Cook praise for recalled bowlers

Alastair Cook praised the role of England's recalled bowlers, Jade Dernbach and James Tredwell, in helping level the one-day series against South Africa. The pair shared five wickets, with Dernbach talking three and Tredwell two, as the visitors were bowled out for 211 to set up a four-wicket victory.

At the toss Cook said the aim was to "freshen up" the attack with the inclusion of Dernbach ahead of Tim Bresnan who has struggled to make an impact this season with the growing suspicion he is not quite the same bowler as before his elbow surgery at the end of the last year. England were already without Stuart Broad who was rested for this series and Dernbach was preferred ahead of allrounder Chris Woakes.

He responded with 3 for 44 including the vital wicket of Hashim Amla, bowled off an inside edge, but his most impressive moment came against Dean Elgar when he confounded the left hander with a superbly disguised slower ball that took off stump. Throughout the innings Dernbach used his variations cleverly rather than overdoing the slower deliveries as he has occasionally in the past.

"He was really good. He's a wicket-taker, and he came in and got them at crucial times," Cook said. "All our bowlers did well, but especially him. He took two important wickets before the batting Powerplay.

"The difference here was we kept taking wickets at just about the right times. We never allowed them to get away from us, and that way we were able to keep them to 211."

Tredwell, meanwhile, again proved an able deputy to Graeme Swann who has been rested for the remainder of the series ahead of the Twenty20 matches later this month. Earlier in the season Tredwell slotted in for Swann against Australia at Old Trafford with 2 for 23 and this time claimed 2 for 49 including the innings-changing scalp of AB de Villiers.

"Tredwell is just a really, really good performer," Cook said. "He knows his game really well; he's a great man to have around, and it's nice to have that strength in depth. He hasn't played that much for England. But every time he has, he's never let us down. He does it week in, week out for Kent - and every time he's played for England, he's done it too."

Cook also said that it was always the management's intention to give Swann the final three matches off and that it was not an immediate response to any increasing concern about his troublesome elbow where he is contending with floating bone fragments.

"We were always going to rest Swanny for the last three games. We planned to rest him, quite simply. He was fit to play, but it was a decision Andy and I made before the series started. With the amount of cricket we have coming up, we have to look at the bigger picture - and it's really nice as a captain to have someone as solid and as good at James Tredwell to come in."

He went to school in SA, if he went to an English school, he would've been a "football" player

RednWhiteArmy
on September 2, 2012, 13:54 GMT

Yes the signs are good for this young & dominant England team

JG2704
on September 2, 2012, 12:56 GMT

@Cpt.Meanster on (September 02 2012, 09:00 AM GMT) ECB have recently lengthened the qualifying period for playing for England (off their own backs) so does this not suggest that they are doing something themselves? Out of interest , where do you stand on players qualifying to play for a country? If we're talking about England for example , a person could be born (full English parents) abroad for no other reason than eg the father's career has taken him abroad for several years (maybe in the services or something). Should that make him unavailable for England? I actually can understand the grievances re guys like Trott,KP and Kieswetter but when people go on about players who moved when they were kids I feel it is a bit unfair.

JG2704
on September 2, 2012, 12:40 GMT

@Norminator on (September 02 2012, 00:42 AM GMT) The irony is that ECB have recently lengthened the time it takes to qualify to play for England. Probably shows the depth of their insight on on field cricket

dummy4fb
on September 2, 2012, 12:13 GMT

Not an expert here, but as a South African I don't have a problem with the Saffa's in the English squad. As far as I understand, they don't really have an opportunity to play full-time in the SA squad, and thus of course they follow the money and the opportunities - I think that's reasonable. I'm as patriotic as any sports fan (I'm cringing right now and hoping SA would stop losing wickets, come on boys!) but I don't blame exports for taking the opportunity. In fact I'm a little happy if our exports do well. (Not sure if I'm impressed with KP though... XD) But I'm ECSTATIC if the SA-squad do well, because they chose to play for our team; they represent us, and I'll yell for that and support them, win or lose. (And yeah, it's easy to get defensive if your side is losing and pointing out that the other side is full of Saffas, but they're Saffa's who chose to play for England, and they have their reasons, and that's that.) Anyway, hope we win this one, but good luck to England too :)

dummy4fb
on September 2, 2012, 11:30 GMT

@SurlyCynic. Yes you are tright Dernbach came to the UK in 2000 and had played no representive cricket for any SA site 1st class or even league. He played rugby. So exactly correct. Good spot. Dernbach is entirely a product of the English cricket development system. That is what you meant isn't it?

Hammond
on September 2, 2012, 10:23 GMT

Cpt.Meanster- read up on the Kolpak decision. And the ECB's response to same. Cease your ignorance.

SurlyCynic
on September 2, 2012, 9:34 GMT

Chris_P: My point is that Trott and Kieswetter played for SA at U21 level, and after that they shouldn't have been able to play for anyone else. Did Fabregas start playing football for England because he lived in England for a while? Do you want international cricket to be like a club team where teams sign players from other countries, like England seem to do?

Cpt.Meanster
on September 2, 2012, 9:00 GMT

I think SA need to STOP their own people from sending in exoduses to the UK, New Zealand and Australia. The NZ team also has a few 'imports'. Kruger Van Wyk is a South African. Leg spinner Nathula was born in India and moved to NZ when he was 11 or 12. How about some focus towards NZ for a change ? No matter what people might say, the ECB are not gonna stop these imports from playing for England. Jade Dernbach is different. He was a child when he moved to England from what I have read about him so it's not his fault. However, I cannot understand him holding an Italian passport. There is a definite loop hole in the British sports system which certain parties are continuing to exploit. This matter needs a good look in. Meanwhile, Jade is a decent bowler.

Chris_P
on September 2, 2012, 4:02 GMT

@SurlyCynic. I don't get your point. Surely the fact they get to choose to play for England means democracy is working, doesn't it? What is your point any way? You want to force people to play for teams against their wishes? They aren't even being chased to play, it is THEIR decision! Move on, this record has worn out.

dummy4fb
on September 2, 2012, 16:47 GMT

He went to school in SA, if he went to an English school, he would've been a "football" player

RednWhiteArmy
on September 2, 2012, 13:54 GMT

Yes the signs are good for this young & dominant England team

JG2704
on September 2, 2012, 12:56 GMT

@Cpt.Meanster on (September 02 2012, 09:00 AM GMT) ECB have recently lengthened the qualifying period for playing for England (off their own backs) so does this not suggest that they are doing something themselves? Out of interest , where do you stand on players qualifying to play for a country? If we're talking about England for example , a person could be born (full English parents) abroad for no other reason than eg the father's career has taken him abroad for several years (maybe in the services or something). Should that make him unavailable for England? I actually can understand the grievances re guys like Trott,KP and Kieswetter but when people go on about players who moved when they were kids I feel it is a bit unfair.

JG2704
on September 2, 2012, 12:40 GMT

@Norminator on (September 02 2012, 00:42 AM GMT) The irony is that ECB have recently lengthened the time it takes to qualify to play for England. Probably shows the depth of their insight on on field cricket

dummy4fb
on September 2, 2012, 12:13 GMT

Not an expert here, but as a South African I don't have a problem with the Saffa's in the English squad. As far as I understand, they don't really have an opportunity to play full-time in the SA squad, and thus of course they follow the money and the opportunities - I think that's reasonable. I'm as patriotic as any sports fan (I'm cringing right now and hoping SA would stop losing wickets, come on boys!) but I don't blame exports for taking the opportunity. In fact I'm a little happy if our exports do well. (Not sure if I'm impressed with KP though... XD) But I'm ECSTATIC if the SA-squad do well, because they chose to play for our team; they represent us, and I'll yell for that and support them, win or lose. (And yeah, it's easy to get defensive if your side is losing and pointing out that the other side is full of Saffas, but they're Saffa's who chose to play for England, and they have their reasons, and that's that.) Anyway, hope we win this one, but good luck to England too :)

dummy4fb
on September 2, 2012, 11:30 GMT

@SurlyCynic. Yes you are tright Dernbach came to the UK in 2000 and had played no representive cricket for any SA site 1st class or even league. He played rugby. So exactly correct. Good spot. Dernbach is entirely a product of the English cricket development system. That is what you meant isn't it?

Hammond
on September 2, 2012, 10:23 GMT

Cpt.Meanster- read up on the Kolpak decision. And the ECB's response to same. Cease your ignorance.

SurlyCynic
on September 2, 2012, 9:34 GMT

Chris_P: My point is that Trott and Kieswetter played for SA at U21 level, and after that they shouldn't have been able to play for anyone else. Did Fabregas start playing football for England because he lived in England for a while? Do you want international cricket to be like a club team where teams sign players from other countries, like England seem to do?

Cpt.Meanster
on September 2, 2012, 9:00 GMT

I think SA need to STOP their own people from sending in exoduses to the UK, New Zealand and Australia. The NZ team also has a few 'imports'. Kruger Van Wyk is a South African. Leg spinner Nathula was born in India and moved to NZ when he was 11 or 12. How about some focus towards NZ for a change ? No matter what people might say, the ECB are not gonna stop these imports from playing for England. Jade Dernbach is different. He was a child when he moved to England from what I have read about him so it's not his fault. However, I cannot understand him holding an Italian passport. There is a definite loop hole in the British sports system which certain parties are continuing to exploit. This matter needs a good look in. Meanwhile, Jade is a decent bowler.

Chris_P
on September 2, 2012, 4:02 GMT

@SurlyCynic. I don't get your point. Surely the fact they get to choose to play for England means democracy is working, doesn't it? What is your point any way? You want to force people to play for teams against their wishes? They aren't even being chased to play, it is THEIR decision! Move on, this record has worn out.

dummy4fb
on September 2, 2012, 1:34 GMT

common england now lets thrash these proteas in one day..........an english fan

Norminator
on September 2, 2012, 0:42 GMT

Been following Cricinfo since the 90s and never had the energy to register in order to post...but decided to today to second Matt Fallaize's comments. This whole 'poaching' line is terribly stale (it's as relevant as me pointing out the Austrlian PM was born in Wales (Barry, no less) and Khawaja comes from Islamabad! As cric fans we should go back to saluting a good drive (or a poor one, if we must). People should stop hijacking threads - everything seems to come back to Eng 'poaching' or whether SRT is a better batsman than Punter.

SurlyCynic
on September 2, 2012, 0:05 GMT

Matt Fallaize: Dernbach has a South African father, an Italian mother and travels on an Italian passport. He doesn't even have a British passport, which is hilarious when the 'England' team travel. If you argue that he learned his cricket in England can't it be argued that KP, Trott and Kieswetter learned their cricket in SA?

dummy4fb
on September 1, 2012, 23:52 GMT

*sigh* okay, I'll bite. Dernbach moved to England as a child. He joined Surrey as a child. He learned his cricket in England. He's played his entire cricketing career in England. Who exactly should he play for, other than England? I appreciate that a lot of the noise around this subject is purely for the purpose of pom-baiting, that noble and ancient sport, but really the arguments are tired and formulaic, and don't bear even the slightest scrutiny. RandyOZ, I've seen you comment perceptively and thoughtfully on countless threads, and yet whenever it comes to England it seems you retreat to this dull, insensate line of attack, it's kind of depressing, tbh.

dummy4fb
on September 1, 2012, 17:19 GMT

then woakes should be in.

SurlyCynic
on September 1, 2012, 15:52 GMT

Can't believe 'Tredwell the trundler' got two wickets. Dernbach bowled well though. Another quality product of the English youth system.

RandyOZ
on September 1, 2012, 15:46 GMT

Cook should be praising the poachers at the ECB, looks like that have captured another South African gun, this time with the ball

No featured comments at the moment.

RandyOZ
on September 1, 2012, 15:46 GMT

Cook should be praising the poachers at the ECB, looks like that have captured another South African gun, this time with the ball

SurlyCynic
on September 1, 2012, 15:52 GMT

Can't believe 'Tredwell the trundler' got two wickets. Dernbach bowled well though. Another quality product of the English youth system.

dummy4fb
on September 1, 2012, 17:19 GMT

then woakes should be in.

dummy4fb
on September 1, 2012, 23:52 GMT

*sigh* okay, I'll bite. Dernbach moved to England as a child. He joined Surrey as a child. He learned his cricket in England. He's played his entire cricketing career in England. Who exactly should he play for, other than England? I appreciate that a lot of the noise around this subject is purely for the purpose of pom-baiting, that noble and ancient sport, but really the arguments are tired and formulaic, and don't bear even the slightest scrutiny. RandyOZ, I've seen you comment perceptively and thoughtfully on countless threads, and yet whenever it comes to England it seems you retreat to this dull, insensate line of attack, it's kind of depressing, tbh.

SurlyCynic
on September 2, 2012, 0:05 GMT

Matt Fallaize: Dernbach has a South African father, an Italian mother and travels on an Italian passport. He doesn't even have a British passport, which is hilarious when the 'England' team travel. If you argue that he learned his cricket in England can't it be argued that KP, Trott and Kieswetter learned their cricket in SA?

Norminator
on September 2, 2012, 0:42 GMT

Been following Cricinfo since the 90s and never had the energy to register in order to post...but decided to today to second Matt Fallaize's comments. This whole 'poaching' line is terribly stale (it's as relevant as me pointing out the Austrlian PM was born in Wales (Barry, no less) and Khawaja comes from Islamabad! As cric fans we should go back to saluting a good drive (or a poor one, if we must). People should stop hijacking threads - everything seems to come back to Eng 'poaching' or whether SRT is a better batsman than Punter.

dummy4fb
on September 2, 2012, 1:34 GMT

common england now lets thrash these proteas in one day..........an english fan

Chris_P
on September 2, 2012, 4:02 GMT

@SurlyCynic. I don't get your point. Surely the fact they get to choose to play for England means democracy is working, doesn't it? What is your point any way? You want to force people to play for teams against their wishes? They aren't even being chased to play, it is THEIR decision! Move on, this record has worn out.

Cpt.Meanster
on September 2, 2012, 9:00 GMT

I think SA need to STOP their own people from sending in exoduses to the UK, New Zealand and Australia. The NZ team also has a few 'imports'. Kruger Van Wyk is a South African. Leg spinner Nathula was born in India and moved to NZ when he was 11 or 12. How about some focus towards NZ for a change ? No matter what people might say, the ECB are not gonna stop these imports from playing for England. Jade Dernbach is different. He was a child when he moved to England from what I have read about him so it's not his fault. However, I cannot understand him holding an Italian passport. There is a definite loop hole in the British sports system which certain parties are continuing to exploit. This matter needs a good look in. Meanwhile, Jade is a decent bowler.

SurlyCynic
on September 2, 2012, 9:34 GMT

Chris_P: My point is that Trott and Kieswetter played for SA at U21 level, and after that they shouldn't have been able to play for anyone else. Did Fabregas start playing football for England because he lived in England for a while? Do you want international cricket to be like a club team where teams sign players from other countries, like England seem to do?